Hardware Firewall suggestions.

[option.iv]

Hello everyone. A business I am helping requires a hardware firewall. The business is very small, only 3-5 computers max.

We've already tried a Sonicwall TZ-100 Wireless N firewall. However, the problem with that is that the wireless ap is horrible. Our connection speed over the WLAN is reduce by 80%. We've already gone through tech support with Sonicwall, tried everything, and nothing could be fixed. Already RMA'ed the unit and the same situation still occurs. Also, when hooking up my old wireless router, speeds are virtually the same as the wired connection.

The solution I was thinking of was to have a wired hardware firewall, and have a separate wireless access point and piggyback that on the firewall.

If anyone has suggestions, I'd very much appreciate them. Thanks. I would like something compareable to the TZ-100, VPN capability preferred, but something cheaper, but most importantly reliable.

 

[Megazell]

I have not used a hardware firewall in years but this site may have the info you need.

http://www.firewallguide.com/

 

[option.iv]

Thanks for the guide link. I will keep those in mind. However, I haven't heard of those brands of hardware firewalls (ZL and GIGABIT).

The hardware firewall I've been looking at though is the Netgear FVS338 and FVS318

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=netgear_firewall-_-33-122-148-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=netgear_firewall-_-33-122-007-_-Product

This seems to be one of the cheapest solutions, but overall seems reliable. Plus there's a lifetime warranty.

My connection speed is a mere 5.5Mbps DL and 1.5Mbps UL. I'm not entirely sure if we are going to upgrade the bandwidth in the future.

 

[Megazell]

[quote name='option.iv']Thanks for the guide link. I will keep those in mind. However, I haven't heard of those brands of hardware firewalls (ZL and GIGABIT).

The hardware firewall I've been looking at though is the Netgear FVS338 and FVS318

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=netgear_firewall-_-33-122-148-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=netgear_firewall-_-33-122-007-_-Product

This seems to be one of the cheapest solutions, but overall seems reliable. Plus there's a lifetime warranty.

My connection speed is a mere 5.5Mbps DL and 1.5Mbps UL. I'm not entirely sure if we are going to upgrade the bandwidth in the future.[/QUOTE]

Review for the Gigabit model - http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/d-link-dir-655/4505-3319_7-32145084.html

The first one you post above seems like a good fit. The 2nd one less so since you will be bottlenecking your connection with it.

 

[option.iv]

Thanks mz. Well, found out yesterday, Gigabit refers to roughly 1000mbps between ports.

And you're right, after research, many people have been complaining about the 318 limiting their internet connections. Looks like I'll have to pick the 338.